25th March is Greek Independence day and also celebration by the Orthodox Church of the Annnunciation.

Greek Independence Day, a national holiday celebrated annually on March 25th commemorating the start of the War of Greek independence in 1821.It coincides with the Greek Orthodox Church celebration of the Annunciation of Theotokos, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear the son of God.

Barrie, as far as I know there is only one Panigheri, in Acharavi, and that is later than you asked for, located in the Olives on the way to Roda, quite a big affair.However, last year, there was a dance festival on the 8th June, in the Town hall square with all the usual side shows, food, drink, candy floss and roasted sweet corn.Watch out for festival banners draped round the Pump Roundabout.Bob.

May Day has its roots in ancient times. It is the first day of May and the celebration of Spring. According to tradition, May was named after the Roman goddess Maia, which is the Greek word for midwife, nurse and mother. Ancient Greeks had dedicated the fifth month of the year to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and her daughter Persephone, who would return to her mother on that month after spending the winter with Hades in the underworld.

The ancient celebration of May Day continued throughout the centuries with solemnity through various customs and traditions. One of the oldest celebrations was the Anthesteria, the first ancient Greek flower festival.

Anthesteria included various processions were ancient Greeks would carry flowers to the sanctuaries and temples. The flower festival was first established in Athens and later in other ancient Greek cities. When the Romans arrived and conquered Greece, the May Day celebration continued to exist in some form but it was slightly changed, since both Romans and ancient Greeks believed that flowers represent the beauty of the gods and bring power, glory, happiness and health.

In the Aegean islands, young girls used to get up at dawn and walk to the wells, carrying the flowers they had picked the previous day. They would fill vases with the “water of silence” and return to their homes without uttering a word. Later, they washed using the same water.

Over the centuries, the original meaning of May Day was altered and the ancient Greek customs survived as mere folk traditions. May Day is one of the few holidays without any religious content and is celebrated in most European nations.

Nowadays, in Greece, one of the most popular traditions of May Day finds its roots in antiquity. People pick flowers and use them to create a May Day wreath that will hang on their door until it goes dry. The wreath making process is supposed to bring people closer to nature, especially in this day and age where people are consumed by their busy city lives.

In several villages across Corfu, residents walk around holding a cypress trunk, covered with yellow daisies. The trunk, also called the Mayoxilo, is encircled in a wreath made from green branches. The young men carrying it wear white clothes and red scarves as they walk around the village streets singing songs about May.

Finally, one the most popular Greek May Day traditions is fire jumping. Women of every age gather the night before May Day, after the sun sets, and light a fire using dry branches that they gathered over the past days. When the fire is lit, the women dance around in a large circle singing folk songs about May and spring. The young children wet their hair and clothes and jump over the fire as a symbolic act that will keep away winter and disease.

Labour Day is marked in around eighty countries in the world. In Greece the day is also known as International Workers’ Day and as in most places today, the day celebrates the achievements of the working people and their unions.

The day has its roots in the eight-hour day movement which advocated the eight hour working day, to be followed by eight hours of recreation and eight hours of rest. The movement had its origins in Britain’s Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s.

Thick and fast now.Kouloura, Kalami and Loustri. Tonight parade the Ikon of St Nickolas from Kouloura to Kalami with music 19th Tomorrow night church service.20thThursday night 21st, panigerari festival with all the usual goings on.Get involved, join the fun.Bob.

Just seen posters advertising a Greek Dance display in the council office square in Acharavi, this Sunday 31st May. With many groups performing.Starts at 8 o'clock.Usually there is food and drink available at these does.

Not quite a festival, but a music night.Just heard that Rembekika Taverna in Acharavi had a music night last evening, which included our friend Alexis Glikiotis, good to see him back on the island. I'll endeavour to find out if it's going to be every week, and post on here.

June 23rd is the Festival of Midsummers Eve and Saint John feast day.In many villages around Corfu, the locals light three fires in the centre of the village. Fire is supposed to be a purifying and beneficial element.Before the locals jump through the fires, they wear a headdress made from olive branches. Once the locals are ready, they jump through the fire three times. As they complete this ritual, they ask for "The blessing of God" from Saint John.

After the fire jumping ceremony, the wreaths that were picked and made on May Day are the thrown into the fire and burned.This is supposed to drive away witches. This is very similar to a Pagan ceremony which is now associated with the birth of St. John on Midsummers Day.Whilst the wreaths are being burned, musicians play old Greek songs on their traditional instruments and the local people sing and dance around the fire.

It is a fabulous evening where all the locals and tourists enjoy an evening together dancing, drinking and eating traditional Greek food.

11th this month, Megalo Paneghiri in Acharavi.Not sure where it is, either town hall or in the olive grove between Roda and Acharavi, I just saw the signs on the roundabout yesterday.I can highly recommend the international folk dance meeting, either in Corfu Town or Sinies Village above San Stephanos NE.Bob.

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